Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the

Town Council of the Town of Ellicott

held at the Administration Building,

215 S. Work Street, Falconer, N.Y. on

January 21, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

 

Present: Supervisor Miller, Councilman Orlando, Councilman Beckerink, Councilman Lodestro, Councilman Heintzelman, Town Clerk Erlandson, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse, Attorney Wright, Code Enforcement Officer Woodbury, Legislators Barmore & Nazzaro.

 

Supervisor Miller opened the meeting at 7:00 PM and led the Town Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.    Town Clerk Erlandson called the roll. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

MOTION by Supervisor Miller, seconded by Councilman Heintzelman to accept the minutes of the December 17, 2007 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk with the following amendment to RESOLUTION #106-07:

 

ADD: and, furthermore, that section 384-e be made available to each police employee by the Town for a window period of one (1) year commencing January 1, 2008 and closing December 31, 2008.

 

Carried.                              Ayes - 3                               Noes - 0                              Abstain - 2

(Beckerink & Lodestro Abstained.)

 

MOTION by Supervisor Miller, seconded by Councilman Heintzelman to accept the minutes of the January 1, 2008 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk with the following correction to RESOLUTION #26-08:

 

            Deputy Supervisor should be Councilman Heintzelman, not Councilman Miller.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

PUBLIC HEARING (Local Law #1-2008: Revisions to NYS Building Code)

 

Supervisor Miller opened a Public Hearing on proposed Local Law #1-2008 to facilitate enforcement of updated sections of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, and to set fees for annually required operating permits at $200.00 per year.”  No public comments were heard.

 

MOTION by Supervisor Miller, seconded by Councilman Heintzelman to close the Public Hearing at 7:04 PM.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

                PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

 

Recently elected Chautauqua Co. Legislator for District 15, Charles Nazzaro introduced himself to the Town Council.  He encouraged the Council to contact him any time to discuss county issues that might be pertinent to the Town of Ellicott.

           

CORRESPONDENCE

 

            Town Clerk Erlandson read the following items into the record:

                                   

1.      Notice of application for liquor license renewal at the Fountain Bowl, 3316 Fluvanna Ave.

2.      Invitation to Chautauqua County Mayors & Supervisors Association dinner and meeting to be held on Jan. 31, 2008.

3.      Notice of an “open house” reception honoring Ruth Rowley, recently retired Supervisor of the Town of Poland.

4.      Falconer Fire Chief’s Report: December 2007.

5.      Newsletter: Chaut. Co. Chamber of Commerce.

 

TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS

 

Councilman Lodestro reported that he has scheduled regular meetings of the Ellicott Public Safety Committee for the second Wednesday each month.  He added that he has also scheduled regular meetings of the Ellicott Facilities Committee for the second Thursday each month.

 

Mr. Lodestro also reported that he is in the process of reviewing the fire contracts with the three (3) fire departments operating in the Town of Ellicott.

 

Mr. Lodestro also updated the Council on the status of the Lyndon Blvd. project.  He noted that the final report for the project has been submitted to the NYS Thruway Authority.  If accepted, the Thruway Authority will reimburse the Town approximately $24,000.00.

 

Councilman Heintzelman asked Town Clerk Erlandson to look into the possibility of paying property taxes semi-annually.

 

Mr. Heintzelman also reported that he has learned of a business that might be interested in opening a facility in an Industrial Park in the Town of Ellicott.  However, he noted that the business would involve retail sales and, at present, Section 146-42 of the Town Code stipulates that “commercial sales and services” are not permitted in Industrial Parks.  Mr. Heintzelman feels that the Council should consider amending the code.  Code Enforcement Officer Woodbury commented on the matter.  He recommended that the Town Council direct the Ellicott Planning Board to review the code.

 

MOTION by Councilman Heintzelman, seconded by Councilman Beckerink requesting the Town of Ellicott Planning Board to review Section 146-42 of the Town of Ellicott Code regarding permitted uses in Industrial Parks.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

Councilman Beckerink reported that the Assessment Sub-Committee would be meeting on Jan. 22, 2008 at 1:00 PM.  He also reported that the Budget Sub-Committee would be meeting sometime in February 2008.

 

Town Clerk Erlandson reported that he would be collecting property taxes at the Celoron Village Hall on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

 

Mr. Erlandson also reported that he is looking into replacing the Town’s municipal accounting computer software.  He stated that he has contacted several companies that market financial accounting software to schedule demonstrations of their products.  He stated that the cost of the software would be $5,500.00 to $12,000.00.

 

Attorney Wright reported that the abandonment of a section of property located near 100 Lakeside Blvd. has been completed.  (Minutes 7/16/07 et. seq.)  He reminded the Council that the property was deeded to Ray Dorman.

 

Mr. Wright also reported that the Ellicott Planning Board has recommended that the Town Council proceed with the rezoning of property located on Dunham Ave.  (Minutes 10/29/07)

 

Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that he has received the skid for the new pump station in West Ellicott.  Construction will begin this spring.

 

Supervisor Miller reported that the Town is in the process of converting the Town Code to an electronic format.  He explained that converting the code would facilitate management of the code & also reduce annual maintenance costs.  The cost of converting the code is $1,700.00.

 

Mr. Miller also reported that the Ellicott Insurance Committee met on Jan. 17, 2008 to discuss the renewal of the Town’s comprehensive liability insurance policy with the Town’s insurance representative, Randall Graham.  Mr. Miller stated that the Town’s premium should decrease slightly in 2008.

 

Mr. Miller stated that the Town of Ellicott successfully completed its 2007 re-assessment of property in the Town of Ellicott.

 

Mr. Miller reported that Dunn Tire recently opened a new facility at 685 Fairmount Ave.  He welcomed them to the Town of Ellicott.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Local Law #1-2008 (Revisions in NYS Building Code) – Code Enforcement Officer Woodbury explained that he and Attorney Wright are working on bringing the Town Code into compliance with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.  Tabled pending further review. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Easement Request from Sacred Heart Church & Real Estate Advantage – Supervisor Miller reported that the Town has received easement requests from Sacred Heart Church, Lakewood, NY & Real Estate Advantage, 800 Fairmount Ave. for the use of unopened sections of First and Second Streets in the Town of Ellicott.  The streets are currently “paper streets”.  The Town Council discussed the matter.  Attorney Wright commented on the requests.  He advised against permanently abandoning the “paper streets”.  However, he stated that he would not be opposed to granting temporary, “non-exclusive” easements provided the applicants have compelling reasons for requesting the easements.  Attorney Wright will review the matter.  Tabled pending further review.

 

RESOLUTION #31-08

Budget Transfers & Appropriation


MOTION by Supervisor Miller, seconded by Councilman Heintzelman authorizing Town of Ellicott Supervisor to make budget transfers & appropriations in the following accounts for fiscal year 2007:

 

To:         DA5112.100 (Improvements - Personal Services)                41,676.71                   

              DA5112.400 (Improvements - Contractual)                            5,252.85 

  DA9030.800 (Social Security)                                                3,190.45 

From:     DA5120.100 (Bridges – Personal Services)                                                       50,120.01

 

To:         B4020.100 (Vital Statistics – Personal Services)                              .22

From:     B4020.400 (Vital Statistics – Contractual)                                                                    .22

                         

To:         B8010.100 (Zoning – Personal Services)                                   859.70

To:         B8020.100 (Planning – Personal Services)                                 665.82

To:         B8560.400 (Shade Trees)                                                           23.95

To:         B9010.800 (State Retirement)                                                 142.00

To:         B9030.800 (Social Security)                                                   668.72

From:    B9060.800 (Hospital & Medical)                                                                         2,360.19

 

To:         B3620.400 (Safety Inspection - Contractual)                       4,942.73

From:     B3620.100 (Safety Inspection - Personal Services)                                              4,942.73

 

To:         A1220.100 (Supervisor – Personal Services)                       .12

From:     A1220.400 (Supervisor - Contractual)                                                              .12

 

To:         A1330.100 (Tax Collection – Personal Services)                             .06

              A1410.100 (Town Clerk – Personal Services)                        1,625.35

 

 

            From:     A1330.400 (Tax Collection – Contractual)                                                          1,626.41

 

To:         A1620.100 (Buildings – Personal Services)                             9,950.45

From:     A1990.400 (Contingency)                                                                                   9,950.45

 

To:         A3120.100 (Police – Personal Services)                                    147.12

From:     A3120.400 (Police – Contractual)                                                                          147.12

 

To:         A3510.100 (Dog Control – Personal Services)                                .04

From:     A3510.400 (Dog Control – Contractual)                                                                      .04

 

To:         A7510.400 (Historian - Contractual)                             100.92

From:     A1620.400 (Buildings - Contractual)                                                          100.92

 

To:         A9030.800 (Social Security)                                                  1,321.72

From:     A9060.800 (Hospital & Medical)                                                                        1,321.72

 

To:         A1010.100 (Town Board – Personal Services)                          134.78

To:         A1110.400 (Justice – Contractual)                                            290.67

To:         A1320.100 (Accounting – Personal Services)                  49.98

To:         A1420.400 (Attorney – Contractual)                                 14,479.22

To:         A1355.400 (Assessing – Contractual)                                  4,863.45

From:    A1110.100 (Justice- Personal Services)                                                              19,818.10

 

To:         A1355.400 (Assessing – Contractual)                                     8,311.00

From:     A1355.100 (Assessing – Personal Services)                                                        8,311.00

 

            Appropriate the amount of $12,606.05 to Account #DB5112.2 (Unanticipated Revenues)

 

Adopted.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                               Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #32-08

Payment of Claims

 

MOTION by Councilman Lodestro, seconded by Councilman Beckerink to pay 2007 current claims #1411-1421, inclusive, in the amount of $6,812.20 and charge to the proper fund or account; and, further, to pay 2008 current claims #1-72, inclusive, in the amount of $367,344.52 and charge to the proper fund or account.

 

Adopted.                            Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

RESOLUTION #33-08

Executive Session (Pending Litigation)

 

MOTION by Supervisor Miller, seconded by Councilman Lodestro to convene Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation.   7:56 PM – 8:28 PM.

 

Adopted.                            Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

Motion by Supervisor Miller, seconded by Councilman Heintzelman to adjourn at 8:28 PM.

 

Carried.                             Ayes - 5                               Noes - 0                                Absent - 0

 

 

                                                                                    _________________________________

                                                                                    Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk